Kronborg Castle
Helsingør (Elsinore), Denmark
The Renaissance castle at the narrowest point of the Øresund, known as Hamlet’s Elsinore and listed as a World Heritage Site. Entry fee for the halls and casemates; pay parking near the harbour.
Kronborg Castle in Helsingør is a Renaissance castle in Denmark at the narrowest point of the Øresund, where the strait is only about 4 km wide. In the 1420s King Eric of Pomerania built the fortress of Krogen on this spot, and Frederick II had it converted into a Renaissance castle between 1574 and 1585. In September 1629 a fire destroyed large parts of the castle, sparing only the chapel, and Christian IV had it rebuilt. From the 15th century until 1857, ships passing through the strait had to pay the Sound Dues here.
Shakespeare made Kronborg, as “Elsinore”, the setting of his “Hamlet”; the play was first staged here in 1816. The complex has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. According to legend, the Danish hero Holger Danske lies sleeping in the casemates until Denmark needs him, and a statue commemorates him. Opening times change with the season, so check them in advance.
- Nearest town
- Helsingør (Elsinore), Denmark
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 56.0390, 12.6211
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Denmark: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Tolls on the Great Belt and Øresund bridges. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© Luis Antonio Carrasc… · CC BY 3.0Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
© Christen Købke · Public domainFrederiksborg Castle
© This image was produced by me, David Castor (user:dcastor). The pictures I submit to the Wikipedia Project are… · CC0Kullaberg Nature Reserve
© Giorgio Galeotti · CC BY 4.0Nyhavn
Campsites nearby
- Helsingør NordhavnMotorhome stopover0 km from Kronborg CastleMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Helsingør CampingCampsite1 km from Kronborg CastleTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Norra Hamnen Marina ABMotorhome stopover4 km from Kronborg CastleMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Nivå HavnMotorhome stopover13 km from Kronborg CastleMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Fredensborg CampingCampsite13 km from Kronborg CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Visit Öre StrandCampsite21 km from Kronborg Castle · 18 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Denmark · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kronborg Castle?
Kronborg Castle is in Helsingør (Elsinore), Denmark, at GPS 56.0390, 12.6211. It is about 21 km from Gilleleje.
Can you camp near Kronborg Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Helsingør Nordhavn, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 53 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Kronborg Castle?
Kronborg Castle is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: North Zealand: Hamlet’s castle and the Danish Riviera.
What is there to see near Kronborg Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (9 km), Frederiksborg Castle (23 km), Kullaberg Nature Reserve (31 km) and Nyhavn (40 km).
When is the best time to visit Kronborg Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)